Update (2016): What works and what doesn’t when set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet?

If you have own the current generation (5th) of Fire tablet, you can use Google Play store as well. Just install the 4APK files, and run one ADB command. Everything should work, including the Google Play store. You can update Play services and all apps through the Play store.

For Chromecast users, screencast (screen mirroring) also works!!

Yes, the $50 fire tablet can run Google Play store and almost all Google apps without issues.

Almost all Google apps except Google Play store, work on all previous generation of Kindle Fire tablets. This is very likely blocked by Amazon. But you can install Google apps APK files directly. GMail, YouTube,… almost all Google apps should work after you install the 4 APK files and run one ADB command.

In this case, although Google Play store does not work on these tablets, you still need to install it because some other Google apps require it.

Because you cannot update Google Play services through the Play store, you need manually install the latest version of Play services using APK files. Some Google apps require the latest Play services.

As in the previous guide, I showed you how to sideload Chrome browser to Amazon Fire tablet (Amazon Fire HD, Fire HDX and Kindle Fire HDX).

But when you use this method for other Google apps, e.g. GMail, you will find that these Google apps do not work.

This is because more and more Google apps require some other Google components and sometimes require a Google account as well.

Of Course, Amazon is trying to remove these components or is not licensed to use these components. So, there is no official way to add a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet.

This guide will show you how to set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet, and how to use Google accounts on Amazon Fire tablet.

Fire tablet in this guide refers to Fire HD, Fire HDX and Kindle Fire HDX. For the older generations of the Kindle Fire tablet, it may also work similarly.

What do you need to set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet?

To successfully set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet, you need:

1. Sideload 4 Google apps: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, Google Play Store and Google Play services. Among these 4 apps, only Google Play services can be sideloaded from 1Mobile market. The other 3 must be installed through APK files.

2. ADB access to your Fire tablet. You need a developer environment on your PC and run one ADB command. Root is NOT required.

Step by step guide to set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet

Step 1: Turn on Apps from Unknown Sources

As you need to install some apps that are not from Amazon Appstore, Apps from unknown sources must be enabled.

In Settings—Applications, tap On for Apps from Unknown Sources.

Step 2. Download and install 4 apps

4 Apps are needed to enable Google account on Amazon Fire tablet:

Google Services Framework

Google Play Store

Google Play services

Google Account Manager

For the first 3 apps, the detailed step-by-step installation procedure is covered in this guide. I will not repeat them here.

Step 3. Turn on USB debugging (enable ADB) on Fire tablet

To run any ADB commands, you need to enable USB debugging on your Fire tablet.

To enable USB debugging (enable ADB), you need to enable Developer options. Please refer to this guide on how to access developer options and enable USB debugging as shown below.

Step 4: Run ADB command from your PC

On the PC, you need install Amazon Fire ADB driver and install Android SDK. Please follow this official guide for this.

Now connect your Amazon Fire tablet to the PC with USB cable.

As shown below, you need use 3 commands:

1. cd to the folder where adb.exe is located. For my PC, it is located in C:\apps\adt-bundle-windows-x86_64-20140321\sdk\platform-tools because I used the old zip package and unzipped it to apps folder. On your PC, the folder name should be different.

2. I need to check whether the Fire tablet is recognized as an ADB device. The command is:

adb devices

The output of this command should be the serial number of your Fire tablet.

3, Now, run the ADB command to grant a new permission to Google Play services. The command is:

Step 5: Add a Google account.

Now, you can install GMail app or any apps to add a Google account to Amazon Fire tablet.

Follow the Add a Google account page to add an existing Google account or create a new Google account.

How to use Google apps on Amazon Fire tablet?

You can install almost all Google Apps from the 1Mobile market. Most Google apps work nicely on Amazon Fire tablet.

I tested GMail, Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play music, Google Play Books, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Drive. All work without issues so far.

What about the Google Play store?

Please note, this method cannot make Google Play Store app work on Amazon Fire tablet.

Although you can set up Google Play store with your Google account, the main store is always loaded as No connection as shown below.

As you can always install apps from 1Mobile Market, this probably is not a big issue.

Can you set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet now?

If you encounter any problems to set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet or having any questions on how to set up a Google account on Amazon Fire tablet, please let us know in the comment box below.

# Download and install the 4 google apps as mentioned, and for each install, reboot the tab. # Follow instructions as mentioend for enabling ADB and granting permissions, then reboot tab again. # Install any google related app, e.g. youtube, and open it. It will say “google play services need to be updated”. at this time, proceed to update, when it will finally set up your google account.

After the above, it will automatically pick up the google account for any google app. Everything works, the youtube, google photos, google+, google hangouts, etc.

I think Amazon broke it again. Despite going through all of this my Google apps don’t appear to have online access. A pretty big problem for something like Gmail. Weirdly it did appear to accept my login. It’s just unable to retrieve any messages or even my avatar.

Lot’s of problems; – SDK’s for Kindle not available for API17 or any other Android ver. – my PC would not recognize my Kindle via “adp device” command even though I could access it via MS Windows Explorer Spent over two hours loading all the apps/files …no result.

Thanks for the reply. I did follow all step carefully; – I am using Android Studio 1.2.1.1, most recent update. SDK Manager does not fetch all of the Kindle SDK’s indicated in the write-up. I got the Kindle Fire USB driver in Extras, but none of the Kindle SDK’s under any of the API builds – I confirmed “Enable ADB” … is “ON”. ADB devices command works but does not detect. Is Kindle doing something else to prevent detection? Or is it that my PC or Kindle don’t wish to cooperate?

First of all, thank you! This seems to be the only guide on the web that enables Google apps without rooting.

I followed this guide with some difficulty (and help from Google) and got to the point where Google Play Services is working. My account was recognized when I added it from Keep, and 2-step-authentication seemed to work at first, but then there was an error message (along the lines of) that authentication failed. None of the Google apps are working except services, which lists my account and lets me manage some settings.

Could it be that I need to use an app-specific password in order to authenticate? I’d like to try but I couldn’t figure out how to re-add my account or even get a new chance to type in my password.

There are no easy solutions. Google and Amazon are working in opposite directions. More and more Google Apps get deeper integration through Google play services and newer android APIs. But amazon is trying harder to de-Google on FireOS. Amazon is probably on the wrong direction as far as FireOS is concerned.

I am unable to get the SDK Manager to list the Kindle Fire Device Definitions or the Amazon AVD Launcher, it only lists the USB drive… I have used both the listed tutorials for setting up SDK but no luck getting those to show up in the list for extras.

I am not able to get this to work. I installed all the apps and ran the adb command without error, but when I attempt to add the google account for the gmail app (or any google app), I end up with “error communicating with google servers”, which is what I thought the adb command fixes. Help? Thank you in advance.

Had everything working fine and dandy without ADB debugging (no clue what I did or how it worked or what). 1Mobile notifies me there is an update to Google Play Services, so, of course, I install…

After the install, about half the apps stop working, though Google Play Books is still working, which is good because its the only one I really care about. But… I think, lets try to go back and I really screw it all up from there…

Long story short, I reset it, attempted to do what I did before and was not able to get logged into my Google account.

I reset a couple more times, thinking I had messed something up, trying both the new version and the older version of Google Play Services and it still does not work. With the old version, it says it needs the update to Google Play Services to work when I try to use GMail to log into my account, with the new version, it just says it cannot communicate with Google servers.

So I try the ADB thing again and figure out what my mistakes were before and get it to display my device and attempted the command but it says my device is unauthorized and I cannot get it to work…

Well, I feel like an larger idiot, but I fixed the unauthorized thing (there is a pop-up I had to click on that to authorize my computer……..) and…

I think its working… I used the older Services but without installing 1Mobile at all, using APKs I found online to get this running first, will try to install/use 1Mobile once everything seems to be working.

Apps working before installing 1Mobile: Google Play Books Google Play Music (though gives notification of an issue with Play Services, but no noticeable issues) Google Now Chrome

FYI: The problem I was having with getting adb to work… apparently the SDK manager did not actually install the driver on my PC? I went to its location and installed the file and then everything worked.

(also, with the new Google Play Services, it has a “wrong architecture” error. before I fubar’d my device, it did not seem to affect anything though…)

Applying this on a Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ (System Version 8.5.1, App Version 6.1045.1603.14A) , ADB Enabled = ON

This is similar to the above re: “Unknown command” error, but I’ll provide you a bit more info as there appears to have been a change in the available “adb” commands. I got everything installed eventually. I am able to list my device with the “adb devices -l” command just fine, but when I execute the “adb” command to grant permissions in an elevated or non-elevated command prompt, I get the following output:

pm list packages: prints all packages, optionally only those whose package name contains the text in FILTER. Options: -f: see their associated file. -d: filter to only show disbled packages. -e: filter to only show enabled packages. -s: filter to only show system packages. -3: filter to only show third party packages. -u: also include uninstalled packages.

pm list permission-groups: prints all known permission groups.

pm list permissions: prints all known permissions, optionally only those in GROUP. Options: -g: organize by group. -f: print all information. -s: short summary. -d: only list dangerous permissions. -u: list only the permissions users will see.

pm list instrumentation: use to list all test packages; optionally supply to list the test packages for a particular application. Options: -f: list the .apk file for the test package.

pm set-install-location: changes the default install location. NOTE: this is only intended for debugging; using this can cause applications to break and other undersireable behavior. 0 [auto]: Let system decide the best location 1 [internal]: Install on internal device storage 2 [external]: Install on external media

======================================= Now when I go into the shell via the “adb shell” command I’m able to get into the Unix shell just fine and can navigate around as shown below:

Thanks for the guide. I am considering buying one of the new Fire tablets. I searched for the Google Music app in the Amazon App Store, and no dice. That’s a dealbreaker for me. If there’s a way to sideload the account and app, the tablet becomes much more attractive.

The ADB DEVICES command returns the ID of my Kindle Fire 7 HD (2nd Version) however it doesn’t produce a popup on the Kindle, and the ‘pm grant’ functionality seems to be missing from the shell. I think this is because they have removed the Device Definitions for the kindles. I tried setting it up manually but it makes no difference to making the popup work.

I don’t understand what the end result is after all these steps are executed if Google is in fact filtering out Kindle serial numbers which blocks the device from being recognized as an eligible android device and furthermore what specific apps are compatible with the device based on google filters?

Google doesn’t block devices. Google wants more users of their apps to get more traffic so that they can sell more ads.

It’s amazon who wants to build a walled garden with their own services. And they purposely block Google services. This is why they can sell fire tablet with very low profit margin (sometimes even below cost). Amazon need make money from their services.

I followed this and for the most part it seems to work (I was able to get Galaxy on Fire 2 HD apk off of the google store and sideload it). My issue is that all the Google apps seem to throw an error “Unknown issue with Google play services”. I can’t connect to Google Play, Gmail opens however never loads anything and if I attempt to sync it either sits there for a very long time “spinning” or throws the aforementioned error. Any idea what I did wrong (aside from buy the tablet before checking more forums lol)?

You cannot access play store directly, and some Google services. There are no easy solutions because Amazon aggressively removed any possible holes for Google services. Amazon wants you to stay within their system so that they can sell the tablet at razor thin profit margin, sometimes, even below cost.

But you should be able to use YouTube and Chromecast and some other apps

Hi, Thank you for this guide. I tried to follow your steps, but I didn’t get it working yet. The youtube app loads, but when I try to add an account, it doesn’t go to the add account screen. Same with Play books. I’d appreciate your help

Yay, it works now! First, I had forgotten to install google accounts apk, which is why the login screen didn’t show.

The easiest way to not forget anything the second time around was to just use the dropbox folder with all four apks provided by you. I had to update the Play services app through 1Mobile store to make youtube work, and now it all works like a charm.

One small idea for improvement: I would have appreciated a warning at beginning of article that this takes about 2-4 hours if you factor in installation of the Android SDK and a a couple of trial and errors.

Too much & very detailed info. was very happy to try it out, took two days to download & setup everything but after running commands it seemed that everything is good & I may try to add my google account now but the same communication error is still there. I am using Fire phone with OS 4.6.6 Model # SD4930UR. Does the AT&T matters?? because I have an App pre-installed name myAT&T.

I got everything up and running but when I try to add my google account I get a ‘Couldn’t sign in’ error saying ‘There was a problem communicating with Google servers. Please try again later.’ I have tried multiple times with different accounts and I keep getting the same error. Any ideas?

Thanks for the helpful advice. I bought a kindle fire hd 6 for my 5 year old son and really wanted the youtube kids app on it. After a few version conflicts got resolved between the yt kids app and google play services, it works.

I have setup everything and I have two of my gmail accounts working within the gmail app. One has 2-step auth and the other does not. While trying to add the third account it just fails. when I click on manage accounts it takes me to the settings screen but there isn’t any place to manage the google accounts on the device. Since this is a Fire 7 the only account option is for the Fire.

Am I missing something? How do I remove a google account or manage the ones I have?

Amazon removed all Google services from fire tablets, and there are no account manager for Google account. You need add Google account inside any Google apps. You need tap as account inside any Google apps.

You should NOT use manage account, which does not have a corresponding entry in Settings in any Amazon tablets.

I tried to follow the above steps,but the tools have changed to the point when I have no idea what is going on,

* instead of Android SDK (which I used on a prior computer to root devices), there is Android Studio,’ I have no idea where the Debugging mode is. The deeper I dig, the most I become. I just do not know what the various details mean.

* I have Windows 10, which seems to do NOTHING the same as prior versions of Windows.

To be clear, I have a $50 Fire Tablet, a Windows 10 computer, a small (tiny) amount of experience with Android SDK & a large amount of frustrated puzzlement (I tried to solved this myself, off on and on, for most of today. I tried to research and look for useful answers, but… no bueno)

Android SDK is included in the Android studio. When installing Android studio, you are asked to specify where to install Android SDK or using existing SDK installation. if you install the studio only for you, you may check: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Android\

I had never succeeded with this particular guide on my 4th gen Kindle Fire HD 6, like several other commenters here. Then I found this http://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/installing-google-framework-playstore-t3216122 and it worked flawlessly. Note it seems to require Fire OS 5, furthermore the description says it works on 5th gen devices only, but it worked like a charm on my 4th gen Kindle Fire (bought in 2015). Other redeeming quality: It’s dead easy if you’ve already tried this guide, and it also removes the ads in the same sweep.

By “working flawlessly” I mean the full package: Google Accounts, Play Store, and all the Google apps I have tried, excepting Inbox, which works in principle but misbehaves to where it is impractical to use. I’m hoping updates may fix it in the future.

Nevertheless, I appreciate what Simon has done here given how many people were clearly helped by his efforts. Keep it up!

After hours and hours of following instructions from all related sites, and numerous reboots, all Google apps including Gmail, YT work except Play. Two hours after I gave up I tried to download an app from Play and it just works. Guess it could take a long time for Services to connect.

Step 4 above says to run the adb command from a CMD promt on the PC. I ran the first step and I get the Kindle serial number. But when I run the abd command to grant permission to google play services, that is when it says “grant” is not a command. How do you run the abd command on the kindle? There is no DOS window.

I’m not sure about how to log out of an account once all is said and done. Iv successfully ran played and installed apps but I have purchesd games on another account and cannot figure out how to log into that account from google play since I don’t have google settings?

So, I don’t know where I’m going wrong, but I ran the command prompt, everything looks like it came out ok as far ad the ADB goes… But I still get the issue in communicating with the servers. Anyone got some ideas?

This is an excellent guide! Make sure to install all 4 of the apps before you try to run the adb commands. Follow the official guides for getting adb to recognize your device – this took a bit to figure out. This allowed me to get google play (music, store, gmail, etc) to work without root – awesome!

Is there any way to remove a google account once it is added to the amazon tablet. I was able to install the google play store with one account and later added another account that already had apps I wanted, but now I cant get rid of the first account. Thanks.

Your need remove all Google accounts to remove the first Google account in the fire tablet. In Google’s term, the first Google account on the device is the main account. You can only remove it after you remove all other Google accounts.

I successfully installed google acounts, playstore and apps. I have two gmail accounts and added them both, but when I try to access my other account, or add it in google drive I get an error. What do I need to do to be able to access both drives? One is personal, the other work. Fire HD 8

Hello, I have Kindle Fire 3rd Gen running 4.5.5.2. I have performed the 4 apk file installs and the ADB command successfully. Then I performed update of Google Play services via 1Mobile software. Note: Doing update thru an app like GMAIL will fail because it brings up Google Play Store that only gives the RH-01 error. At one time I was actually able to get GMAIL application to work, but other apps would fail. So I removed everything and tried again. Now it is worse. Google Play Services keeps crashing.

So my question is this: Can you tell me the correct versions of each piece of software that should work with each other without Google Play Services crashing? I think it’s important to make sure I have the right architecture version and maybe some other pieces.

Here is the APKs I am trying to use: Google Services Framework, 4.4.4-1227136

if it works, you should not update such apps and services. It is hard to make Google services work on Fire OS 4 because Amazon was trying hard to make it impossible to run them at that time. It is a bit easier in Fire OS 5.

I downloaded and installed these apks on my Kindle fire GR8 (6TH gen). The only problem I am having is with location services. The Fire OS 5.3.3.3.0 is in conflict with Google services. The Location Services in the Fire IS settings now refuses to turn on. Is there any way around this???

Rebooted several times. Same message pops up and trying to turn location services on lasts for about half a minute before then off and message pops up again. After reboot and message pops up, don’t let you turn location on at all, only right after reboot and doesn’t stay on.

Error resovled. I downloaded Google maps and it asked me to turn on Google location services, message no longer comes up and location based services in kindle is now turned on. I assume if BOTH are not turned on, neither will work and you get messages. Message simply said Location based services is not turned on, please turn on Location Services in settings. Was a kindle message, not google. Which is why I had the problem, I kept going into kindle setting to try to turn it on and kindle wasn’t the problem. Thanks for the replies, maybe this will help someone else in the future. I would make sure location based services in kindle (settings/wireless/Location-Based services) are on prior to downloading and installing the Google apks, then if message pops up, go into Google settings and turn on Location Services in Google.